Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-16
HOW PENSIONS ARE OBTAINED.
Commfssi0Mef Dlaok Describes the
COnfss IN Application Takes.

CSnrss IN Application Takes.
The Commissioner OF Pensions. Gen. BLACK IN
MS annual report jus. issued gives sketch OF the
progress OF case through the Bureau OF Pensions
us stated that all matter addressed to the Bu-
reau OF Pensions or to the Commissioner or to
any otnef officer thereof is received in the mail
DIVISION, wnere 1t is opened and examined to de-
eefmine whether 1t Is personal or oflcial, and, II
oncia, TO what division 1t pertains; and is for
"aIaeo AZ once, after being stamped and recorded
to that division. All matter reaching the mail
DIVISION Is distributed on the day of Its receipt
Applications are sent from the mail to the record
DIVISION, and there entered upon the records OF
saat aitisaon From the record division they are
the claims are to be considered
THE ADJUDIcATINa DIVISIONS
are nVe In number: First is the Old War and
Navy, which has jurisdiction of claims arising in
the Regular Army and Navy, and in the old war
seryice-the Mexican war and the war Of 1912, and
ssSs or OF
The remaining adtudicating divisions are the
Eastern. Middle, Southern and western. The
Ing In military organizations from the States Of
Maine. New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,
and Mw H0 Ns
charge OF all claims originating in military organ
izatlons from the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio and
Micnigan. The western division has charge Of
| all claims originating in military organizations
from the States Of Indiana Illinois, Iowa, Wiscon-
sln, Minnesota Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Colo
fauo, CauIOrnla, oregon, and the several Terri
tories. The southern division has charge OF all
CLAIMS originating In military organizations from
North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Geor
gla, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, and
tnn a VI CoiamDia and the several organiza-
lions OF colored troops tThe term ''clams origt-
nating IN military org anizati0as from" means IN
tne ttular service OF the State and does not have
reference to the present residence or pOSt-Office
a0orcSS OF the claimant.)
IN THE HANDS OF AN EXAMINER.
Wnen case has reached an adjudicating divi-
sion 1t Is placed by the chief thereof In the hands
OF an examiner, who proceeds with the cOnsidera-
ton OF the case, making such calls for evidence
through the proper channels upon the claimant,
his attorney, and the War Department, the sur
geon- Generars ONCE and the record division as
may be necessary TO determine the case. He also
resorts 10 all such available means OF Information
as, IN his best Judgment, requisite for estab-
fishing the justice or otherwise OF the claim.
mission or Tor rejection 1t is forwarded from the
examiner through the chief OF his section TO the
chief OF the division passing the scrutiny OF each
OF theSe oilcas, and Is then sent TO the board OF
review. The intermediate steps Of this process
vary according to the emergencies Of each case.
IL may be very simple case, with ample proof In
the record and In the present condition OF the
man to show the justice injustice OF his claim.
A medical examination then Is ordered to deter
gree OF disability and the medical statement to
The amount OF such disability resulting from the
INJURY Ia Cne service.
THE SPECIAL REVIEWERS.
After all these reports and evidence are in, and
the case has been submitted, II 1t still stands un-
determined, the case is ordered to the special
animation division, where 1t is further and more
critically examined upon all cOnLroverted points,
and at all places where essential Information may
bc added, touching either specific cause OF
inquiry or the whole merits OF the case. 1t then
returned from the special examination division,
resumes Its place on The calendar, and is adjudi-
in ~ n
embrace questions OF origin, or service, and line or
duty ana other matters That, under the law, affect
These legal questions having been established,
the case Is then sent to the medical division for
medical adv1Sement as to all the medical questions
involved. II a mistake has been made in the
diagnosis OF the case 1t IL here detected. II the
lay examiner has accepted an existing disability
as due to one shown TO have originated in the
service, and the medical examiner discovers that
one cannot be sequence OF the other, the medical
opinion TO that effect Is furnished for correction
the case. The degree OF disability is also deter
mined and certified by the medical board
THE PENSION GRANTED.
The case Is then referred to the board Of review
for rating in accordance with the degree OF disa-
biity shown to exist. These ratings are then
axed TO the case and sent forward to The certifl-
cate DIVISION where the tinal steps are TAKEN and
the certificate Is issued. From the certificate d.
vision the case Is returned 70 the record division
mail division and mailed.
The law division consists OF thirty-siX persons,
besides the chief The duties OF this division,
briefly include the preparation OF all cases OF ap-
peal TO the Secretary or the INTERIOR and advising
In all cases that may be certified from any divis-
ion to the law division for an opinion in accord
ance With the ruling OF the commissioner.
A Young WOman's Strange Death.
SHE TAKES ALCOHOL FOR BLoOD-P0IsONNG AND
NEVER WAKES UP.
r. A. Jackson, manager at Chateaugay Chasm,
who died recently at Chateaugay, Clinton County.
N. Y, had been sick for months, and o council Of
doctors gave up hope OF his recovery. He sent for
his stster-ln-law to nurse him. The night before
he died he bit her severely on finger while in a
state of delirium. After his death she feared
blood pOisOnng, she suffered from pain in her
arm, and SO she cut q vein in her hand near the
bite. The wound bied profusely and she thought
she would be all right but fear again seized her
and she called for whisky and sent for doctor.
There was but little whisky In the house and SO
she reduced some alcohol, and not knowing its
strength took more than she intended and fell into
a stupOr, from which she never awoke. An in
quest was held and a verdict OF accidental death
was returned. This incident caused rumOrs to be
circulated which had the effect OF causing in
quest to be held over the remains OF MI. Jackson.
After thorough examination the facts that he
had had the best OF care and had died from natural